4.3.2. Cyclic voltammetry
The surface reactions of pyrite exposed to borate background solution were investigated using cyclic voltammetry during which the solutions were purged with high purity nitrogen for 30 min to remove dissolved oxygen prior to each experiment, and nitrogen purging was maintained above the solution throughout the experiment to prevent the possible return of oxygen to the system. Measurements were performed at different anodic switching potential in order to identify the anodic peaks and their corresponding cathodic peaks from which the underpinning electrochemical reactions could be determined. The measurements were performed in triplicate, and the CV curves among these measurements were highly consistent. The results of the first curve are illustrated in Fig. 10. Electrochemical reactions corresponding to anodic and cathodic peaks in Fig. 10 are shown below.